Conservatives have chance in Scarborough-Agincourt, June 30 byelections could mean low voter turnout on four-day holiday for many voters

Voting day timing that is bound to suppress turnout in four federal byelections for June 30 on the eve of Canada Day next month, July 1, and the bitter departure of former Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis from national politics and its aftermath, could give the Conservatives an otherwise unexpected chance to take over his long-held former riding in Toronto.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, right, on Sunday called four byelections to held on June 30, including in Scarborough-Agincourt, Ont., previously held for more than 25 years by Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis, left. The other byelections will be held in Trinity Spadina, Ont., and Macleod, Alta., and Fort McMurray-Athabasca, Alta. ‘Certainly, if I was a Conservative I’d focus on Scarborough Agincourt,’ Mr. Karygiannis said. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright.